- Joined
- Dec 21, 2015
- Posts
- 4,123
But I will make a controversial point: PSIA is way to focused on the big-toe inside edge carving. Go to Paint Brush at JH and carve that big toe edge through the entire turn and there's good chance that you're catapulting off the hill. Rather most great Jackson Hole and other big mountain skiers are using some form of low-edge angle, drifting technique. Granted its not the same as competitive mogul skiing, just like racing technique has nothing to do with skiing a big mountain/all-mountain skiing. But learning how to feather, drift and use low angle/no angle edges is critical. Bode actually talked about it again tonight---"use just enough edge as you need". I watched PSIA instructors clinic at a big western mountain recently---the coaches had the hordes of instructors finish the turn with that big toe inside edge engaged all the way through and the downhill ski (little toe edge) raised off the ground. It looks great on the groomed (which is what they are striving for) and works on a race course...but not at places like JH and other steep big mountain areas. My point is that all-mountain technique draws from a lot of distinct ideals---learning how to drift and use the low angle edges, like competitive bump skiers is very important. Just as important as carving.
So I think when you watch people work on drills, anyone should realize that they are just that drills, no one is intending for someone to go down some steep off piste run carving just on their outside foot. One of the weakness in people making round turns all over the mountain is a lack of balance on the outside ski. Also you can balance on your outside ski with out "carving" a turn. I am not sure how directing balance to the outside ski is using more edge than what you need? Maybe you can explain that one more, one things for sure I would never want to take a ski lesson from bode on all mountain skiing. Also they were raising theirinside ski, no such thing as a downhill ski in ski turn, downhill ski only applies to traverses.
I entirely agree with your statement that people need to learn low angle drifting turns as well, but where we disagree is probably how much you to use them. Once someone is top end skier the vast majority of turns even on steeper off piste terrain, can be as carved as possible with min skidding. BTW I am not some PSIA drone making that statement, I ski off piste and tour a decent bit,and have been to couple IFSA semi final in big mountain comps. Racing has much more to do with all mountain skiing than bump skiing, No matter what the turn is, you should be balance more on your outside ski. Even the bump skiers you think are the pinnacle of skiing spend a ton of time working outside to outside ski drills.
So in closing yes to your point we need to be versatile, heck versatility is literally in the PSIA verbage, just sadly most of the instructors do not get that, and outside to outside balance is important, in fact its one of the most basic fundamentals in our sport.